News

Flood nightmare costs pub £700,000

A HAMPSHIRE pub is back pulling pints after a £700,000 flooding nightmare that has forced it to close for four months.

The White Swan found itself underwater for several weeks as Hampshire was hit with the worst flooding in 200 years earlier this year, destroying everything inside.

The manager and his family were forced to move out, staff were laid off and the whole building had to be stripped back to the brick due to the sheer amount of water which submerged the whole pub for more than a month.

But after months of hard work and determination to get the pub restored to its former glory, its back looking better than ever and staff are cannot wait to start serving customers.

The pub in Mansbridge, which backs onto the River Itchen, first flooded over the Christmas period and since then it has been a constant battle to keep it above water.

There were hopes in early February that it could reopen after a seven-day closure but as the rain continued to fall, the water got deeper and even parts of the property which had never flooded before couldn’t escape.

With nowhere to go, the water lay stagnant inside for weeks on end, giving manager Steve Hammond no choice but to lock up, move out and tell 30 members of staff that there was no work for them.

But once the water drained away, work got started to get the place ready for customers and now it boasts a completely new interior, new dining rooms and kitchen.

One of the new additions includes the Titanic Room, which is decorated with authentic blueprints of the ill-fated ship and memorabilia.

The floods have cost the pub in excess of £700,000 and more than £30,000 has gone on better flood defences to help prevent it happening again, but with its new look, Steve hopes that customers will come flocking back.

He said: “It has been a horrific last few months and we have worked very hard to be where we are today.”

The WHITE SWAN , has suffered flooding for years , many many years . So WHY keep renovating / repairing , without any REAL SOLUTION . Surely with PUBs closing down , then this SHOULD be a number 1 candidate , the site then could be better used .

The WHITE SWAN , has suffered flooding for years , many many years . So WHY keep renovating / repairing , without any REAL SOLUTION . Surely with PUBs closing down , then this SHOULD be a number 1 candidate , the site then could be better used .SPIKEISLANDTRADER

SPIKEISLANDTRADER wrote:
The WHITE SWAN , has suffered flooding for years , many many years . So WHY keep renovating / repairing , without any REAL SOLUTION . Surely with PUBs closing down , then this SHOULD be a number 1 candidate , the site then could be better used .

Perhaps they could sell it to a Tory MP as a duck house.

[quote][p][bold]SPIKEISLANDTRADER[/bold] wrote:
The WHITE SWAN , has suffered flooding for years , many many years . So WHY keep renovating / repairing , without any REAL SOLUTION . Surely with PUBs closing down , then this SHOULD be a number 1 candidate , the site then could be better used .[/p][/quote]Perhaps they could sell it to a Tory MP as a duck house.For pity sake

SPIKEISLANDTRADER wrote:
The WHITE SWAN , has suffered flooding for years , many many years . So WHY keep renovating / repairing , without any REAL SOLUTION . Surely with PUBs closing down , then this SHOULD be a number 1 candidate , the site then could be better used .

Perhaps they could sell it to a Tory MP as a duck house.

Or turn in into a licenced trout farm with ample mooring and water garden, families welcome.

[quote][p][bold]For pity sake[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]SPIKEISLANDTRADER[/bold] wrote:
The WHITE SWAN , has suffered flooding for years , many many years . So WHY keep renovating / repairing , without any REAL SOLUTION . Surely with PUBs closing down , then this SHOULD be a number 1 candidate , the site then could be better used .[/p][/quote]Perhaps they could sell it to a Tory MP as a duck house.[/p][/quote]Or turn in into a licenced trout farm with ample mooring and water garden, families welcome.Huey

When I last called in, 2011 I think it was on a return to the U:K the beer was crap, BUT with no NO DOGS sticker anywhere we took the dog through to sit by the river which I used to do with my parents some 45 years before, half way through the bar heading to the rear some woman staff member barked NO DOGS. we did not stay for another pint,
If they want to sell the place to me I could make an offer.

When I last called in, 2011 I think it was on a return to the U:K the beer was crap, BUT with no NO DOGS sticker anywhere we took the dog through to sit by the river which I used to do with my parents some 45 years before, half way through the bar heading to the rear some woman staff member barked NO DOGS. we did not stay for another pint,
If they want to sell the place to me I could make an offer.mike coll

As a local to the White Swan I'm very happy this place has reopened. I popped down yesterday, in the pouring rain, to have dinner and a few drinks. It still have that new smell!
The toilets could have done with a refurb but the food was good and staff were friendly and helpful, as always. The White Swan has always been a bit expensive but for the convenience of having this on my door step, I'm not going to complain.

As a local to the White Swan I'm very happy this place has reopened. I popped down yesterday, in the pouring rain, to have dinner and a few drinks. It still have that new smell!
The toilets could have done with a refurb but the food was good and staff were friendly and helpful, as always. The White Swan has always been a bit expensive but for the convenience of having this on my door step, I'm not going to complain.Comfytibble